Of Tribes and Tribulations

A comprehensive history of the Cleveland Indians over eight decades, the franchise joined the American League in 1904, as one of four charter members. From the early beginning, 1869, Cleveland played in professional leagues on and off until 1901. The first chapter describes these early years, including name changes and the building of League Park in 1891, the first professional park specifically devoted to baseball. Nickname changes were frequent until 1915 when the team was named the Indians. After 1901, the reader is provided with a chronological and anecdotal history of the team until 1956. Highlights include the careers of Nap Lajoie and Addie Joss, ownership changes, 1920 World Championship led by manager Tris Speaker, and the on-the-field death of second baseman Ray Chapman. With the Alva Bradley ownership for nineteen years (1927-46), fans experienced a variety of pennant races under a plethora of managers, none resulting in a pennant. The best opportunity occurred in 1940 when the infamous ""Crybaby"" team failed to win the pennant. After World War II, the franchise experienced the most exciting and successful decade in Tribe history (1946-1955). This charge was led by the indescribable Bill Veeck, boy-manager Lou Boudreau, and Larry Doby, the first black player in the American League. The result was record-breaking attendance records and a World Championship in 1948. Success continued until 1955 under the leadership of general manager Hank Greenberg and manager Al Lopez, highlighted by a record-breaking 111 victories and a pennant in 1954. The epilogue describes the near demise of the franchise in subsequent decades (1957-1994).